‘Bad’ Muslim preacher fights for religious freedom

An Islamist leader “may be a very bad preacher”, but ruling his speeches were anti-Semitic would be akin to restricting religious freedoms, his lawyer says.

An Islamist preacher who referred to Jewish people as “vile” and “treacherous” argues his comments weren’t racist but instead protected religious lectures.

Sydney-based Al Madina Dawah Centre cleric Wissam Haddad has been accused of racial discrimination in a series of fiery sermons from November 2023, which have racked up thousands of views online.

In the speeches, Haddad – also known as Abu Ousayd – referred to Jewish people as “vile”, “treacherous”, “murderous” and “descendants of pigs and apes”.

His lawyer Andrew Boe previously argued his speeches were intended for a small private Muslim audience and weren’t reasonably likely to attract the attention of the broader community.

Yet he conceded at the 11th hour that the speeches were not made in private, after Mr Haddad admitted he knew they would be published online.

Mr Boe argued the speeches were not racist because they were historical and religious lectures delivered in good faith to contextualise the war in Gaza.

He maintains Mr Haddad was referring to Jews of faith, not ethnicity, while comparing seventh century Jews to the current Israeli government.

“We may not necessarily embrace that the correlation he was making is a good one,” Mr Boe said in his closing remarks on Friday.

“He may be a very bad preacher. That doesn’t mean what he’s saying about Islam doesn’t fall within (the protections for freedom of religious expression).”

Mr Haddad had been quoting in large part from Islamic texts so ruling in favour of the two Jewish plaintiffs would be the equivalent of prohibiting the recitation of religious material, Mr Boe argued.

He told the court such a judgment would suggest there was an “inextricable link” between religious speech, religious narratives and racially motivated speech.

“I’m not understating the awfulness of some of the language,” Mr Boe said.

“A rejection of the applicants’ case … does not mean the court condones the actions of the respondent in any way.”

However, lawyers for Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Peter Wertheim and deputy president Robert Goot who are suing Mr Haddad, said there was “no basis” for concluding the speeches were an exercise of religious freedom.

“The evidence positively says Islam doesn’t require or justify wholesale negative expression about Jewish people,” Hannah Ryan told the Federal Court.

Peter Braham SC concluded the argument that Mr Haddad was trying to comfort and educate his congregation was “putting a very thin veil” over a message that equated to “Jews bad”.

He pointed to Mr Haddad’s previous provocative comments about the Christian and Hindu communities as evidence of an offensive pattern of behaviour by the preacher.

His clients are seeking the removal of the published speech, a public declaration of wrongdoing and an order restraining Mr Haddad from making similar comments in future.

“He should be ordered to not repeat the conduct,” Mr Braham said.

The hearing continues.

By: Adelaide Lang/AAP